Kingaroy stabbing: Connar Walter John Barry in South Burnett court

The identity of a man charged over the stabbing of a 42-year-old Kingaroy man has been revealed along with his strong community ties.

A man has appeared in court charged with the stabbing of another man in February this year.

A twist has emerged in an incident that left a 42-year-old Kingaroy man critically injured after being stabbed in the neck in February.

The previously presumed “random” attack has been labelled a domestic violence case by police.

A 25-year-old Kingaroy man, Connar Walter John Barry, was charged in connection with the incident.

Mr Barry, a father-of-five, appeared via video link at the Kingaroy Magistrates Court on Wednesday for a bail application. He has not yet entered a plea.

The alleged stabbing took place just before 12.30am on February 18 at a home on Alford St, which police initially believed to be a random attack.

Alford St, Kingaroy.

The investigation resulted in charging the 25-year-old with unlawful wounding, domestic violence offence, on Monday, April 23.

The victim, believed to be Mr Barry’s foster father, was left with life-threatening injuries and he sat in the gallery as the proceedings took place.

The alleged stabbing took place just before 12.30am on February 18 at a home on Alford St.

Police prosecutor Barry Stevens said during the initial investigation there were “false versions” of what occurred by the different family members.

The court heard after police examined CCTV footage they asked both the victim and Mr Barry about “inconsistencies” in their versions of events.

Sergeant Stevens said once more evidence was presented to Mr Barry, he eventually “gave an omission of the actions”.

“He stated he picked up a utility knife and either threw the knife at the victim or cut his throat with the knife,” he said.

Kingaroy Magistrates Court. File Photo.

“He stated he cannot exactly remember what he did.”

Sgt Stevens said the victim showed support for Mr Barry and “wanted his son to only get a good behaviour bond”.

“There is conflicting loyalties here,” Sgt Stevens said.

The court heard the victim was visiting Mr Barry’s home at the night of the incident, however, it wasn’t made clear what led up to the alleged stabbing.

Magistrate Andrew Sinclair commented about the strength of the prosecutor’s case.

“This case is somewhat special as for whatever reason the victim is supportive of the accused and doesn’t want him charged,” he said.

“The victim, who I believe is here and supporting his stepson being released from custody.”

Mr Sinclair said Mr Barry had “strong links to the community” and had a limited criminal history.

“These events seem to be quite out of character,” the magistrate said.

“There’s no real explanation of whether the knife was thrown or there was a cut … it’s very difficult to understand why that event happened at all.”

Mr Sinclair also raised concerns about the number of times police interviewed Mr Barry.

“I’m quite concerned that interviewing a defendant three times and confronting him with different versions may well be excluded as cross examination and result in the record of interview being excluded,” he said.

Mr Sinclair also said his family are unlikely to be “good witnesses against him”.

The magistrate said based on the strength of the crown case and the unlikely event of Mr Barry “escaping”, he was granted bail on the condition he has no contact with the victim and remains living at his current address and does not consume alcohol.

The case will be heard again at Kingaroy Magistrates court on July 12.

Originally published as Kingaroy stabbing: Connar Walter John Barry in South Burnett court